First ship with 30,000 t of Ukrainian wheat arrives in Kenya

The first ship loaded with 30,000 tonnes of Ukrainian-produced wheat has arrived in the Republic of Kenya as part of the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program initiated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The relevant statement was made by the Office of the President of Ukraine, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“On Monday, March 20, the Valsamitis vessel delivered a humanitarian cargo of 30 thousand tons of wheat to the Kenyan port of Mombasa. This is the fifth vessel to deliver Ukrainian grain to Africa as part of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky’s Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program established to overcome the global food crisis, particularly in countries most affected by hunger,” the report states.

The official ceremony of receiving the cargo was attended by Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya Rigathi Gachagua, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Kenya Andrii Pravednyk, as well as ambassadors of the donor countries. Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh, a member of the International Coordination Group for the Prevention of Hunger (ICGPH), which ensures the functioning of the Grain from Ukraine  humanitarian program, also arrived in Mombasa to take part in the event.

The shipment of this batch of Ukrainian grain took place with the support of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), as well as with the financial assistance from the governments of the United Kingdom, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic.

The total amount of agricultural products transferred to African countries as part of the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program has already exceeded 140,000 tonnes.

“Today, almost 350 million people on our planet are suffering from hunger. Ukraine suffers daily from endless shelling and destruction caused by Russia’s military aggression. However, as part of the civilized world, we will never give up our joint participation in overcoming global challenges, including food security. Therefore, despite the gravity of the situation Ukraine is facing today, we will continue not only to bravely confront the enemy, but also to do everything possible to help countries whose citizens face food shortages, particularly in Africa and Asia,” Zelensky noted.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak mentioned that Ukraine had always been one of the world’s major suppliers of wheat.

“Before the war, African countries imported more than $1.4 billion worth of wheat from Ukraine. Today, in Kenya alone, millions of people are at risk of facing acute food shortages. Therefore, the shipment of Ukrainian grain to this country reinforces our commitment to overcome forced hunger in the most vulnerable countries in Africa through the Grain from Ukraine program,” Yermak stressed.

According to rough estimates by the UN World Food Programme, a total of 30,000 tonnes of grain delivered within the Grain from Ukraine initiative will provide about 2 million people with bread for 1.5 months.

The Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program aims to ensure the transportation of agricultural products through Ukrainian ports and prevent hunger in the world’s most vulnerable countries. The program is supported by the International Coordination Group for the Prevention of Hunger (ICGPH), which is headquartered in Odesa. The ICGPH operates under the leadership of the President of Ukraine.

More than 30 countries and international organizations, including EU member states, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, and Qatar, have joined the Grain from Ukraine program, raising more than $200 million in donations.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine